Zuma promises help for flood ravaged Alexandra

President Jacob Zuma visited the flood ravaged Setjwetla area in Alexandra, assuring residents that government was doing everything it could to help them.

Johannesburg - President Jacob Zuma visited the flood ravaged Setjwetla area in Alexandra on Tuesday and assured the residents that government was doing everything it could to help them.

Accompanied by Gauteng Premier David Makhura and Cooperative Governance Minister David van Rooyen, Zuma also spoke to the parents of missing three-year old Everite Chauke. The little girl has been missing after she was swept away by the overflowing Jukskei River last week. The week-long search for her by rescue teams is continuing.

“What has happened to the Chauke family is such a painful incident. We conveyed condolences to the parents,” he said as he addressed the residents after assessing the damage in the area.

“We heard what happened, provincial government has briefed us about its plans, and we will make sure the problems will be resolved.”

He said the immediate plan was to put residents in temporary houses while government attended to the area around the river. “Government is concerned by this problematic river, especially in the rainy season. We need to find money and control flow of this river, so that people can live without being in danger.”

He urged residents to refrain from building structures along the river. “Building shack on the bank of a river is dangerous. We ask for everyone's cooperation while local and national government work on helping those affected.”

Makhura said at least 4 900 people had been affected by the heavy rain that brought flash floods in the province over the past week.

African News Agency